What occurs when a defendant fails to appear in court?

When a defendant fails to appear in court, forfeiture is declared. This means that the bail bond amount that was put up as security for the defendant’s appearance at court is at risk or may be lost to the court. Forfeiture serves as a significant consequence, emphasizing the importance of attending court proceedings. The purpose of the bail system is to ensure that defendants return for their court dates, and when they do not, the financial guarantee they provided (the bail amount) is forfeited as a penalty for their absence.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately describe the legal ramifications of a failure to appear. Increasing the bond amount would generally not occur automatically as a consequence of a missed appearance. Additionally, the bond does not typically get renewed by itself; it is structured based on the specific terms set at the original issuance. A bond being voided without consequences fails to hold any legal accountability for the defendant's actions and does not reflect the serious nature of missing court obligations. Each of these options overlooks the critical enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with judicial proceedings.